Polymer layer composite for a security and/or valuable document

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method for producing a polymer layer composite that comprises a plurality of polymer layers and at least one polymer layer contains a laser-sensitive component, said method consisting of the following steps: A) first personalised information is applied to at least one of the polymer layers by means of an inkjet printing method as a coloured inkjet printed layer, B) the polymer layer with the coloured inkjet printed layer is then joined to the other polymer layers, the polymer layer with the coloured inkjet printed layer being arranged between two other polymer layers, C) second personalised information is inscribed into the polymer layer composite obtained in step B) by means of laser engraving. The invention also relates to a thus obtained polymer layer composite, a security and/or valuable document comprising a polymer layer composite of said type and to a method for producing a security and/or valuable document of said type.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method for producing a polymer layercomposite that comprises a plurality of polymer layers and at least onepolymer layer contains a laser-sensitive component, wherein firstpersonalised information is applied to at least one of the polymerlayers by means of an inkjet printing method as a coloured inkjetprinted layer, wherein second personalised information is inscribed intothe obtained polymer layer composite by means of laser engraving, andwherein the polymer layer with the coloured inkjet printed layer isjoined to the other polymer layers. The invention also relates to a thusobtained polymer layer composite, a security and/or valuable documentcomprising a polymer layer composite of said type and to a method forproducing a security and/or valuable document of said type.

PRIOR ART AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Personalisation of a security and/or valuable document is a process,wherein personalised information, i.e. individual information for acertain person, which is intended as holder or owner of the securityand/or valuable document, for instance picture information, such aspassport photograph, finger print etc., sequences of characters, such asname, address, place of residence etc., is applied to or in therespective security and/or valuable document. This may take place forinstance in the form of coloured or black & white imprints or laserengraving. Alternatively or additionally, this or otherperson-individual information may however also be stored in anelectronic circuit integrated in the security and/or valuable document,and then the electronic circuit or the information contained therein canbe read by authorised persons.

The personalisation can be made in a centralised manner or in adecentralised manner. In the centralised personalisation, thepersonalised information is determined and transmitted to a manufacturerof the security and/or valuable document. The latter then applies thepersonalised information in or on the security and/or valuable documentduring the production and completion thereof. In the decentralisedpersonalisation, the manufacturer of the security and/or valuabledocument supplies a non-personalised blank to a location, which carriesout the determination of the personalised information and applies it onor in the blank and thus complete the security and/or valuable document,if applicable complemented by the final application of an uppermostprotective film.

From the documents DE 2 907 004 C2, DE 3 151 407 C1 and EP 0 219 011 B1,different methods for laser marking of security and/or valuabledocuments are known in the art. By such methods, personalisedinformation can be integrated in internal layers of a security and/orvaluable document and is thus protected very well against manipulations.However, by means of this method, the integration of colouredpersonalised information, such as e.g. of passport photographs, is notpossible.

From the documents U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,312, U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,527,U.S. Pat. No. 6,979,141, U.S. Pat. No. 7,037,013, U.S. Pat. No.6,022,429 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,296, different methods for producingsecurity and/or valuable documents are known in the art, wherein aninkjet printed layer is applied to a completed blank and then ifapplicable by a protective paint or a protective paint, the inkjetprinted layer is protected against mechanical and/or chemical damages ormanipulations. These methods are therefore basically suited for thedecentralised personalisation. By these methods, coloured personalisedinformation can be applied to the security and/or valuable document,however in case of the decentralised arrangement a later application ofa protective paint or protective film is required in an expensivemanner. Further, the resulting very superficial arrangement does howevernot secure a sufficient security against manipulations of thepersonalised information, in particular when the latter is removed forunauthorised purposes and used elsewhere or replaced, and then thedestruction of the protective paint or film only occurs and they can bereplaced if applicable.

TECHNICAL OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is the technical object of the invention to provide a method forproducing polymer layer composite for a security and/or valuabledocument, wherein coloured personalised information is protected with ahigh security against manipulations, and which can be carried out in acentralised manner.

BASICS OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For achieving this technical object, the invention teaches a method forproducing a polymer layer composite that comprises a plurality ofpolymer layers and at least one polymer layer contains a laser-sensitivecomponent, said method consisting of the following steps: A) firstpersonalised information is applied to at least one of the polymerlayers by means of an inkjet printing method as a coloured inkjetprinted layer, B) the polymer layer with the coloured inkjet printedlayer is then joined to the other polymer layers, the polymer layer withthe coloured inkjet printed layer being arranged between two otherpolymer layers, C) second personalised information is inscribed into thepolymer layer composite obtained in step B) by means laser of engraving.

It is achieved by the invention that first personalised information isintegrated in colour in the security and/or valuable document and is notonly imprinted. Thereby, a very high security against manipulation isobtained, since a manipulation will require a decomposition of thepolymer layer composite without destruction of coloured inkjet printedlayer, which is practically impossible.

Typically, the joining process is a lamination step, and the differentpolymer layers are basically materially joined with each other. It istherefore not necessary to apply a protective layer on the completedcomposite, which appreciably simplifies production.

In particular, the following is noted with regard to the joiningprocess. As a matter of principle, the step of compilation of thedifferent polymer layers precedes the joining process. The compilationcan take place in all usual ways, continuously, quasi-continuously ordiscontinuously. In a so called roll-to-roll production (continuouscompilation), all polymer layers can be guided in parallel to eachother, so that only when inserting a roll, the accuracy of fit of alltracks is important. After inserting and starting, an automaticmonitoring of the running accuracy of the tracks and an automaticcorrection is performed, so that the different polymer layers alwaysmove in a given defined position with regard to each other. Thereafter,a lamination of the positioned tracks takes place, for this purpose thelamination of rolls being a particularly efficient and fast method.Alternatively, the lamination of single sheets (discontinuouscompilation) can also be used. A single sheet contains differentsections of a polymer layer, which are assigned to different securityand/or valuable documents, or consists thereof. Finally, document-wiseindividual lamination can be employed. Therein, for instance electroniccircuits can be tested for proper operation, and inkjet printed layerscan be tested for freedom of faults, and that before the respectivepolymer layers are compiled. Thereby, rejects are minimized, since onlytested polymer layers are compiled and then joined with each other.There is no need to re-manufacture all polymer layers, if one of thepolymer layers is faulty. When compiling quasi-continuously, individuallayers of the polymer layer composite are joined at one position. Thespecialty is that the feed of roll as well as of single sheet can bemade from a stack and that not only strictly parallel, but also acrosswise operation is possible.

In a further method, the compilation takes place in a combinedroll-to-roll and single sheet process. Therein, an electronic inlay canbe fed as a single sheet and the polymer cover layers can be fed fromthe roll.

When joining, the different polymer layers are connected to a monolithiccomposite. This lamination may take place at temperatures from 140 to270° C., preferably 140 to 210° C., and pressures (specific pressuredirectly at the workpiece) from 1 to 10 bars, in particular 3 to 7 bars.

After step B) (and before or after step C)), an optical inspection maytake place, in order to detect faults of joining. Further, the accuracyof fit of the different polymer layers can be examined.

After step B) or after step C), typically a separation of the securityand/or valuable documents is carried out, if it is not a single-unitproduction anyway. Such a separation can be carried out by cutting orstamping.

In an improvement of the invention, one of the polymer layers containsan electronic circuitry (overlying or embedded), which may also includeelectronic circuits, and a third personalised information is stored inthe electronic circuitry before, in particular immediately before, atthe same time as or after step C). It is useful if this polymer layerhas on the side of the electronic circuitry and/or on the side oppositeto the electronic circuitry at least in the area of the chip apreferably opaque over-print. Thereby, the electronic circuitry can beprotected against light irradiation, or a converter layer according todocument EP 4106463 can be integrated.

The polymer layer with the laser-sensitive component and the polymerlayer with the coloured inkjet printed layer may be identical ordifferent, i.e. the inkjet printed layer may be applied to the polymerlayer with the laser-sensitive component or to another polymer layer.The polymer layer with the electronic circuitry may, not necessarilyhowever must be different from the polymer layer or the polymer layerswith the inkjet printed layer and/or the laser-sensitive component.

In step A, a personalised coloured inkjet printed layer can be appliedto two or more different polymer layers. It is also possible to applycoloured inkjet printed layers to both opposite sides of a polymerlayer. The coloured inkjet printed layers on different polymer layerscan, however not necessarily must respectively represent partialinformation of first personalised information and optionally be arrangedcomplementarily and accurately to register with respect to each other.In other words, the different inkjet printed layers represent partialpictures of an overall picture.

In a particularly preferred variant of the invention, the firstpersonalised information is the colour portion of personalised overallpicture information, and the second personalised information is theblack portion of the personalised overall picture information. Herein,the overall picture information is only produced by the inkjet printedlayer as well as the laser engraving process, and the inkjet printedlayer represents a first partial picture and the laser engravingrepresents a second partial picture of the overall picture information.It is understood that the partial pictures have to be produced orapplied exactly to register with respect to each other.

Optionally, an optical inspection of the coloured inkjet printed layeror of the coloured inkjet printed layers and/or an electronic test ofthe electronic circuit can be made before step B), in particularimmediately before step B).

One or several of the polymer layers may additionally be provided on oneside or both sides with a printed layer, which has been applied by anon-inkjet printing technology. Thereto belong the classic printingmethods such as relief printing (direct and indirect), lithographicprinting in the versions offset printing, wet and waterless printing,screen printing (silkscreen), digital and in particular intaglio andphotogravure.

The invention further relates to a polymer layer composite that can beobtained by the method according to the invention. It may be a web, asheet or an individual card. A web and a sheet contain a plurality offields and every field forms after separation a security and/or valuabledocument. Such a polymer layer composite comprises a plurality ofpolymer layers, between two polymer layers a coloured inkjet printedlayer produced by means of inkjet printing with first personalisedinformation being arranged, and in one of the polymer layers, containinga laser-sensitive component, second personalised information produced bymeans of laser engraving being arranged. The explanations with regard tothe method described above apply in an analogous manner.

Typically, the first personalised information or the personalisedoverall picture information will be a picture representation, inparticular a passport photograph of a person.

The second personalised information may contain a personalised sequenceof characters or consist thereof. This may for instance be the name ofthe person, the date of birth, and/or the address etc. The secondpersonalised information may however also comprise document-individualinformation, as for instance serial number or date of issue, or consistthereof.

The polymer layer composite may contain 9 to 15, 3 to 14, in particular5 to 12 polymer layers or the polymer layer composite may consist ofthese layers. The polymer layers without the electronic circuitry havefor instance a thickness in the range from 5 to 270 μm, preferably from10 to 120 μm, most preferably 20 to 120 μm. The polymer layer with theelectronic circuitry has for instance a thickness from 50 to 650 μm, forinstance in the case of a chip module as an electronic circuitry from150 to 650 μm, or in the case of a display module from 50 to 600 μm, orin the case of a thinned flex chip from 50 to 200 μm.

In principle, all polymer materials being common in the field ofsecurity and/or valuable documents can be used as materials for thepolymer layers. The polymer materials may be, identical or different,based on a polymer material from the group consisting of “PC(polycarbonate, in particular bisphenol A polycarbonate), PET(polyethylene glycol terephthalate), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), TPU(thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers), PE (polyethylene), PP(polypropylene), PI (polyimide or poly-trans-isoprene), PVC (polyvinylchloride) and copolymers of such polymers”. Preferred is the use of PCmaterials, and for instance for the polymer cover layer in particularso-called low-T_(g) materials can for instance be used, but notnecessarily must be used, in particular for the polymer layer, on whichthe inkjet printed layer is arranged, and/or for the polymer layer,which is connected with the polymer layer that carries the inkjetprinted layer, and that on the side with the inkjet printed layer.Low-T_(g) materials are polymers, the glass temperature of which isbelow 140° C. It is preferred that the basic of at least one of polymerlayers to be connected contains identical or different groups beingreactive with each other, and at a lamination temperature of less than200° C. reactive groups of a first polymer layer react with each otherand/or with reactive groups of a second polymer layer. Thereby thelamination temperature can be reduced, without the tight bond of thelaminated layers being at risk. This is caused by that, in the case ofthe different polymer layers with reactive groups, because of thereaction of the respective reactive groups the different polymer layerscannot easily be delaminated anymore. There is a reactive couplingbetween the layers, so to speak a reactive lamination. Secondly, it ismade possible that because of the lower lamination temperature a changeof the coloured inkjet printed layer, in particular a colour change, isprevented. It is preferred that the glass temperature T_(g) of the atleast one polymer layer before the thermal lamination is less than 120°C. (or even less than 110° C. or than 100° C.), and the glasstemperature of this polymer layer after the thermal lamination byreaction of reactive groups of the basic polymer of the polymer layerwith each other is at least by 5° C., preferably at least 20° C., higherthan the glass temperature before the thermal lamination. Herein, notonly a reactive coupling of the layers to be laminated with each other,rather an increase of the molecular weight and thus of the glasstemperature by cross-linkage of the polymer within the layer and betweenthe layers takes place. This additionally makes a delaminationdifficult, in particular since an attempt of manipulation at thenecessary high delamination temperatures will irreversibly damage e.g.the colours and thus the document will be destroyed. Preferably thelamination temperature in step B) is, when using such polymer materials,less than 180° C., even better less than 150° C. The choice of suitablereactive groups is easy for the man skilled in the art of polymericchemistry. Exemplary reactive groups are selected from the groupconsisting of “—CN, —OCN, —NCO, —NC, —SH, —S_(x), -Tos, —SCN, —NCS, —H,epoxy (—CHOCH₂), —NH₂, —NN⁺, —NN—R, —OH, —COOH, —CHO, —COOR, -Hal (—F,—Cl, —Br, —I), -Me-Hal (Me=at least divalent metal, for instance Mg),—Si(OR)₃, —SiHal₃, —CH═CH₂, and —COR″, wherein R may be an arbitraryreactive or non-reactive group, for instance —H, -Hal, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl,C₃-C₂₀ aryl, C₄-C₂₀ aralkyl, each branched or linear, saturated orunsaturated, optionally substituted, or corresponding heterocycles withone or several identical or different heteroatoms N, O, or S″. Otherreactive groups are of course also possible. Thereto belong the reactionpartners of the Diels-Alder reaction or of a metathesis. The reactivegroups may be bound directly to the basic polymer or may be connected bya spacer group to the basic polymer. Spacer groups may be all spacergroups known to the man skilled in the art of polymeric chemistry. Thespacer groups may also be oligomers or polymers, which mediateelasticity, thus a risk of breaking of the security and/or valuabledocument being reduced. The man skilled in the art is familiar with suchelasticity-mediating spacer groups, which therefore do not need to bedescribed here in more detail. Examples of spacer groups are selectedfrom the group consisting of “—(CH₂)_(n)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—,—(SiR₂—O)_(n)—, —(C₆H₄)_(n)—, —(C₆H₁₀)_(n)—, C₁-C_(n) alkyl,C₃-C_((n+3)) aryl, C₄-C_((n+4)) aralkyl, each branched or linear,saturated or unsaturated, optionally substituted, or correspondingheterocycles with one or several, identical or different heteroatoms O,N, or S” with n=1 to 20, preferably 1 to 10. With respect to furtherreactive groups or possibilities of modification, reference is made tothe document “Ullmann's Encyclopaedia of Industrial Chemistry”, WileyVerlag, electronic edition 2006. The term basic polymer denotes for thepurpose of the above explanations a polymeric structure, which does notcarry any reactive groups under the employed lamination conditions. Theymay be homopolymers or copolymers. However, polymers being modified withrespect to the mentioned polymers are also comprised.

For producing the inkjet printed layer, in principle all conventionalinks can be used. Preferred is the use of a preparation containing: A)0.1 to 20 wt. % of a binding agent with a polycarbonate derivative basedon a geminally disubstituted dihydroxydiphenyl cycloalkane, B) 30 to99.9 wt. % of a preferably organic solvent or solvent mixture, C) 0 to10 wt. %, referred to dry matter, of a colorant or colorant mixture, D)0 to 10 wt. % of a functional material or of a mixture of functionalmaterials, E) 0 to 30 wt. % additive and/or auxiliary substances, or ofa mixture of such substances, the sum of the components A) to E) alwaysbeing 100 wt. %, as an inkjet printing ink. Such polycarbonatederivatives are highly compatible with polycarbonate materials, inparticular with polycarbonates based on bisphenol A, such as forinstance Makrofol© films. Furthermore, the employed polycarbonatederivative has high-temperature stability and does not show anycoloration at temperatures being typical for lamination, up to 200° C.and more, thereby the use of the low-T_(g) materials described abovebeing not necessary. In particular, the polycarbonate derivative maycontain functional carbonate structure units of Formula (I),

wherein R¹ and R² are independently from each other hydrogen, halogen,preferably chlorine or bromine, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₅-C₆ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₀aryl, preferred phenyl, and C₇-C₁₂ aralkyl, preferably phenyl-C₁-C₄alkyl, in particular benzyl; m is an integer from 4 to 7, preferably 4or 5; R³ and R⁴ are individually selectable for each X, independentlyfrom each other from hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl; X is carbon and n is aninteger greater than 20, such that at least at one atom X, R³ and R⁴simultaneously mean alkyl. It is preferred that at 1 to 2 atoms X, inparticular only at one atom X, R³ and R⁴ are simultaneously alkyl. R³and R⁴ may in particular be methyl. The X atoms in alpha position withrespect to the diphenyl-substituted C atom (C1) may not bedialkyl-substituted. The X atoms in beta position with respect to C1 maybe disubstituted with alkyl. Preferred is m=4 or 5. The polycarbonatederivative may for instance be based on monomers, such as4,4′-(3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane-1,1-diyl)diphenol,4,4′-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexane-1,1-diyl)diphenol, or4,4′-(2,4,4-trimethylcyclopentane-1,1-diyl)diphenol. Such apolycarbonate derivative may for instance be produced from diphenols ofthe Formula (Ia) according to document DE 38 32 396.6, whose scope ofdisclosure is herewith explicitly integrated with its complete contentsin the scope of disclosure of this description. A diphenol of theFormula (Ia), under formation of homopolycarbonates, as well as severaldiphenols of the Formula (Ia), under formation of copolycarbonates, canbe used (meaning of the radicals, groups and parameters same as inFormula I).

Furthermore, the diphenols of the Formula (Ia) can also be used in amixture with other diphenols, for instance with those of the Formula(Ib)

HO—Z—OH  (Ib)

for producing high-molecular, thermoplastic, aromatic polycarbonatederivatives.

Suitable other diphenols of the Formula (Ib) are such, in which Z is anaromatic radical with 6 to 30 C atoms, which may comprise one or severalaromatic nuclei, may be substituted and may contain aliphatic radicalsor other cycloaliphatic radicals than those of the Formula (Ia) orheteroatoms as bridge members. Examples for the diphenols of the Formula(Ib) are: hydroquinone, resorcin, dihydroxydiphenyls,bi-(hydroxyphenyl)-alkanes, bis-(hydroxyphenyl)cycloalkanes,bis-(hydroxyphenyl)-sulfides, bis(hydroxyphenyl)-ethers,bis-(hydroxyphenyl)-ketones, bis-(hydroxyphenyl)-sulfones,bis-(hydroxyphenyl)-sulfoxides,alpha,alpha′-bis-(hydroxyphenyl)-diisopropylbenzenes and thenucleus-alkylated and nucleus-halogenated compounds thereof. These andother suitable diphenols are e.g. described in the documents U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,028,365, 2,999,835, 3,148,172, 3,275,601, 2,991,273, 3,271,367,3,062,781, 2,970,131 and 2,999,846, in the documents DE-A 1 570 703, 2063 050, 2 063 052, 2 211 956, the Fr-A 1 561 518 and in the monograph“H. Schnell, Chemistry and Physics of Polycarbonates, IntersciencePublishers, New York 1964”, which herewith are explicitly integratedwith their complete contents in the scope of disclosure of thisapplication. Preferred other diphenols are for instance:4,4′-dihydroxydiphenyl, 2,2-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane,2,4-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methylbutane,1,1-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-cyclohexane, alpha,alpha-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-p-diisopropylbenzene,2,2-bis-(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane,2,2-bis-(3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane,bis-(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-methane,2,2-bis-(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane,bis-(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-sulfone,2,4-bis-(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methylbutane,1,1-bis-(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-cyclohexane,alpha,alpha-bis-(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-p-diisopropylbenzene,2,2-bis-(3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane and2,2-bis-(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane. Particularly preferreddiphenols of the Formula (Ib) are for instance:2,2-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane,2,2-bis-(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane,2,2-bis-(3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane,2,2-bis-(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane and1,1-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-cyclohexane. In particular,2,2-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane is preferred. The other diphenols maybe used individually as well as in a mixture. The molar ratio ofdiphenols of the Formula (Ia) to the other diphenols of the Formula (Ib)also to be used if applicable, should be from 100 mol % (Ia) to 0 mol %(Ib) and 2 mol % (Ia) to 98 mol % (Ib), preferably from 100 mol % (Ia)to 0 mol % (Ib) and 10 mol % (Ia) to 90 mol % (Ib) and in particularfrom 100 mol % (Ia) to 0 mol % (Ib) and 30 mol % (Ia) to 70 mol % (Ib).The high-molecular polycarbonate derivatives from the diphenols of theFormula (Ia), if applicable in a combination with other diphenols, maybe produced according to the known polycarbonate production method. Thedifferent diphenols may be linked to each other statistically as well asblock-wise. The employed polycarbonate derivatives may be branched in aper se known manner. If a branching is desired, this can be achieved ina known manner by condensation of small amounts, preferably amountsbetween 0.05 and 2.0 mol % (referred to employed diphenols), at three-or more than three-functional compounds, in particular those with threeor more than three phenolic hydroxyl groups. Some branching agents withthree or more than three phenolic hydroxyl groups are: phloroglucin,4,6-dimethyl-2,4,6-tri-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-heptene-2,4,6-dimethyl-2,4,6-tri-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-heptane,1,3,5-tri-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-benzene, 1,1,1-tri-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethane,tri-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-phenylmethane,2,2-bis-[4,4-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-cyclohexyl]-propane,2,4-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl-isopropyl)-phenol,2,6-is-(2-hydroxy-5-methyl-benzyl)-4-methylphenol,2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-propane,hexa-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl-isopropyl)-phenyl]-ortho-terephthalic acidester, tetra-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-methane,tetra-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl-isopropyl)phenoxy]-methane and1,4-bis-[4′,4″-dihydroxytriphenyl)-methyl]-benzene. Some of the otherthree-functional compounds are 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, trimesic acid,cyanuric chloride and3,3-bis-(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydroindole. As chainterminators for the per se known control of the molecular weight of thepolycarbonate derivatives serve mono-functional compounds in usualconcentrations. Suitable compounds are e.g. phenol, tert.-butylphenolsor other alkyl-substituted phenols. For controlling the molecularweight, in particular small amounts of phenols of the Formula (Ic) aresuitable.

wherein R is a branched C₈ and/or C₉ alkyl radical. Preferred is that inthe alkyl radical R the portion of CH₃ protons is between 47 and 89% andthe portion of the CH and CH₂ protons is between 53 and 11%; alsopreferred is R in an o and/or p position with respect to the OH group,and particularly preferred is an upper limit of the ortho portion of20%. The chain terminators are in general preferred in amounts of 0.5 to10, preferably 1.5 to 8 mol %, referred to the employed diphenols. Thepolycarbonate derivatives may preferably be produced in a per se knownmanner according to the phase boundary behaviour (comp. H. Schnell“Chemistry and Physics of Polycarbonates”, Polymer Reviews, Vol. IX,page 33ff., Interscience Publ. 1964). Herein, the diphenols of theFormula (Ia) are dissolved in an aqueous alkaline phase. For producingcopolycarbonates with other diphenols, mixtures of diphenols of theFormula (Ia) and the other diphenols, for instance those of the Formula(Ib), are employed. For controlling the molecular weight, chainterminators e.g. of the Formula (Ic) may be added. Then, in presence ofan inert, preferably polycarbonate-dissolving organic phase, a reactionwith phosgene according to the method of the phase boundary condensationis carried out. The reaction temperature is between 0° C. and 40° C. Thebranching agents also used if applicable (preferably 0.05 to 2.0 mol %)may either be provided with the diphenols in the aqueous alkaline phaseor added in a solution with the organic solvent before the phosgenation.Besides the diphenols of the Formula (Ia) and if applicable otherdiphenols (Ib), the mono- and/or bis-chlorocarbonic acid esters thereofcan also be used, which are added in a solution with organic solvents.The amount of chain terminators and of branching agents depends on themolar amount of diphenolate radicals according to Formula (Ia) and ifapplicable Formula (Ib); when also using chlorocarbonic acid esters, theamount of phosgene can be reduced in a known manner. Suitable organicsolvents for the chain terminators and if applicable for the branchingagents and the chlorocarbonic acid esters are for instance methylenechloride, chlorobenzene an in particular mixtures of methylene chlorideand chlorobenzene. If applicable, the employed chain terminators andbranching agents can be dissolved in the same solvent. As an organicphase for the phase boundary polycondensation serves for instancemethylene chloride, chlorobenzene and mixtures of methylene chloride andchlorobenzene. As an aqueous alkaline phase serves for instance NaOHsolution. The production of the polycarbonate derivatives according tothe phase boundary method can be catalysed in a conventional way bycatalysts such as tertiary amines, in particular tertiary aliphaticamines such as tributylamine or triethylamine; the catalysts can be usedin amounts from 0.05 to 10 mol %, referred to the moles of employeddiphenols. The catalysts can be added before starting the phosgenationor during or also after the phosgenation. The polycarbonate derivativescan be produced according to the known method in a homogeneous phase,the so-called “pyridine method” and according to the known melttransesterification method by using for instance diphenylcarbonateinstead of phosgene. The polycarbonate derivatives may be linear orbranched, they are homopolycarbonates or copolycarbonates based on thediphenols of the Formula (Ia). By the arbitrary composition with otherdiphenols, in particular with those of the Formula (Ib), thepolycarbonate properties can be varied in a favourable way. In suchcopolycarbonates, the diphenols of the Formula (Ia) are contained inamounts from 100 mol % to 2 mol %, preferably in amounts from 100 mol %to 10 mol % and in particular in amounts from 100 mol % to 30 mol %,referred to the total amount of 100 mol % of diphenol units, inpolycarbonate derivatives. The polycarbonate derivative may be acopolymer containing, in particular consisting thereof, monomer units M1based on the Formula (Ib), preferably bisphenol A, and monomer units M2based on the geminally disubstituted dihydroxydiphenyl cycloalkanes,preferably of the 4,4′-(3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane-1,1-diyl)diphenol,the molar ratio M2/M1 preferably being greater than 0.3, in particulargreater than 0.4, for instance greater than 0.5. It is preferred thatthe polycarbonate derivative has a mean molecular weight (weightaverage) of at least 10,000, preferably of 20,000 to 300,000. Thecomponent B may in principle be essentially organic or aqueous.Essentially aqueous means that up to 20 wt. % of the component B) may beorganic solvents. Essentially organic means that up to 5 wt. % water maybe present in the component B). Preferably, the component B contains orconsists of a liquid aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, and/or aromatichydrocarbon, a liquid organic ester, and/or a mixture of suchsubstances. The employed organic solvents are preferably halogen-freeorganic solvents. These may be in particular aliphatic, cycloaliphatic,aromatic hydrocarbons, such as mesitylene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene,cumene and solvent naphtha, toluene, xylene; (organic) esters, such asmethyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, methoxypropyl acetate,ethyl-3-ethoxypropionate. Preferred are mesitylene,1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, cumene and solvent naphtha, toluene, xylene,acetic acid methyl ester, acetic acid ethyl ester, methoxypropylacetate, ethyl-3-ethoxy propionate. Particularly preferred are:mesitylene (1,3,5-trimethylbenzene), 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, cumene(2-phenylpropane), solvent naphtha and ethyl-3-ethoxy propionate. Asuitable solvent mixture comprises for instance L1) 0 to 10 wt. %,preferably 1 to 5 wt. %, in particular 2 to 3 wt. %, mesitylene, L2) 10to 50 wt. %, preferably 25 to 50 wt. %, in particular 30 to 40 wt. %,1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate, L3) 0 to 20 wt. %, preferably 1 to 20 wt. %,in particular 7 to 15 wt. %, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, L4) 10 to 50 wt. %,preferably 25 to 50 wt. %, in particular 30 to 40 wt. %, ethyl-3-ethoxypropionate, L5) 0 to 10 wt. %, preferably 0.01 to 2 wt. %, in particular0.05 to 0.5 wt. %, cumene, and L6) 0 to 80 wt. %, preferably 1 to 40 wt.%, in particular 15 to 25 wt. %, solvent naphtha, the sum of thecomponents L1) to L6) always being 100 wt. %. The polycarbonatederivative typically has a mean molecular weight (weight average) of atleast 10,000, preferably from 20,000 to 300,000. The preparation may inparticular comprise: A) 0.1 to 10 wt. %, in particular 0.5 to 5 wt. %,of a binding agent with a polycarbonate derivative based on a geminallydisubstituted dihydroxydiphenyl cycloalkane, B) 40 to 99.9 wt. %, inparticular 45 to 99.5 wt. %, of an organic solvent or solvent mixture,C) 0.1 to 6 wt. %, in particular 0.5 to 4 wt. %, of a colorant orcolorant mixture, D) 0.001 to 6 wt. %, in particular 0.1 to 4 wt. %, ofa functional material or of a mixture of functional materials, E) 0.1 to30 wt. %, in particular 1 to 20 wt. %, additive and/or auxiliarysubstances, or of a mixture of such substances. As component C, if acolorant is to be provided, in principle any arbitrary colorant orcolorant mixture can be used. Colorants are all colour-changingsubstances. This means, these may be dyes (a survey of dyes is found inUllmann's Encyclopaedia of Industrial Chemistry, Electronic Release2007, Wiley Verlag, chapter “Dyes, General Survey”), as well as pigments(a survey of organic and inorganic pigments is found in Ullmann'sEncyclopaedia of Industrial Chemistry, Electronic Release 2007, WileyVerlag, chapter “Pigments, Organic” or “Pigments, Inorganic”). Dyesshould be soluble or (stably) dispersible or suspensible in the solventsof the component B. Further, it is advantageous, if the colorant isstable, in particular colour-stable at temperatures of 160° C. and morefor a time of more than 5 min. It is also possible that the colorant issubjected to a given and reproducible colour change under the processingconditions and is selected correspondingly. Pigments must have, besidesthe temperature stability, in particular a very fine particle sizedistribution. In the practice of inkjet printing, this means that theparticle size should not be higher than 1.0 μm, since otherwiseblockings in the pressure head will occur. Usually, nano-scale solidpigments and soluble organic colorants have shown good results. Thecolorants may be cationic, anionic or also neutral. Examples forcolorants that can be used for inkjet printing are: Brillantschwarz C.I.No. 28440, Chromogenschwarz C.I. No. 14645, Direkttiefschwarz E C.I. No.30235, Echtschwarzsalz B C.I. No. 37245, Echtschwarzsalz K C.I. No.37190, Sudanschwarz HB C.I. 26150, Naphtolschwarz C.I. No. 20470,Bayscript® Schwarz Flüssig, C.I. Basic Black 11, C.I. Basic Blue 154,Cartasol® Türkis K-ZL Flüssig, Cartasol® Türkis K-RL Flüssig (C.I. BasicBlue 140), Cartasol Blau K5R Flüssig. Suitable are further e.g. thecommercially obtainable colorants Hostafine® Schwarz TS Flüssig (sold byClariant GmbH Germany), Bayscript® Schwarz Flüssig (C.I. mixture, soldby Bayer AG Germany), Cartasol® Schwarz MG Flüssig (C.I. Basic Black 11,registered trademark of Clariant GmbH Germany), Flexonylschwarz® PR 100(E C.I. No. 30235, sold by Hoechst AG), Rhodamin B, Cartasol® Orange K3GL, Cartasol® Gelb K4 GL, Cartasol® K GL, or Cartasol® Rot K-3B.Further, as soluble colorants can be used anthraquinone, azo,quinophthalone, cumarin, methin, perinone, and/or pyrazole colorants,e.g. obtainable under the trade name Macrolex®. Further suitablecolorants are described in the document Ullmann's Encyclopaedia ofIndustrial Chemistry, Electronic Release 2007, Wiley Verlag, chapter“Colorants Used in Ink Jet Inks”. Well soluble colorants will lead to anoptimum integration in the matrix or the binding agent of the printinglayer. The colorants can be added either directly as a dye or pigment oras a paste, a mixture of dye and pigment together with an additionalbinding agent. This additional binding agent should be chemicallycompatible with the additional components of the preparation. If such apaste is used as a colorant, the amount of the component B refers to thecolorant without the other components of the paste. These othercomponents of the paste must then be subsumed under the component E.When using so-called coloured pigments in the scale colourscyan-magenta-yellow and preferably also (soot-) black, full-tone colourimages are possible. The component D comprises substances, which byusing technical means can immediately be seen by the human eye or byusing suitable detectors. These are materials familiar to the manskilled in the art (cf. also van Renesse, Optical Document Security, 3rded., Artech House, 2005), which are used for the protection of valuableand security documents. Thereto belong luminescent substances (dyes orpigments, organic or inorganic) such as e.g. photoluminophores,electroluminophores, anti-Stokes luminophores, fluorophores, but alsomagnetisable, photo-acoustically addressable or piezoelectric materials.Furthermore, Raman-active or Raman-amplifying materials can be used,same as so-called barcode materials. Here, too, the preferred criteriaare either the solubility in the component B or for pigmented systemsparticle sizes<1 μm and temperature stability for temperatures>160° C.in the meaning of the explanations with regard to the component C.Functional materials can be added directly or via a paste, i.e. mixturewith an additional binding agent, which is then a constituent of thecomponent E, or the employed binding agent of the component A. Thecomponent E comprises the substances normally used for inks in ink jetprinting, such as anti-foam agents, set-up agents, wetting agents,tensides, floating agents, drying agents, catalysers, (light)stabilisers, preservation agents, biocides, tensides, organic polymersfor viscosity adjustment, buffer systems, etc. Set-up agents are forinstance conventional set-up salts. An example is sodium lactate. Asbiocides may be used all commercially available preservation agents,which are used for inks. Examples are Proxel®GXL and Parmetol® A26.Tensides may be all commercially available tensides, which are used forinks. Preferred are amphoteric or non-ionic tensides. Of course,however, the use of special anionic or cationic tensides, which do notalter the properties of the dye, is also possible. Examples for suitabletensides are betaines, ethoxilated diols etc. Examples are the productseries Surfynol® and Tergitol®. The amount of tensides is for instanceselected such that the surface tension of the ink is in the range from10 to 60 mN/m, preferably from 20 to 45 mN/m, measured at 25° C. Abuffer system may be provided, which stabilises the pH value in therange from 2.5 to 8.5, in particular in the range from 5 to 8. Suitablebuffer systems are lithium acetate, borate buffer, triethanolamine oracetic acid/sodium acetate. A buffer system will in particular beapplied in the case of a substantially aqueous component B. Foradjusting the viscosity of the ink, (if applicable water-soluble)polymers may be provided. These may be all polymers being suitable forconventional ink formulations. Examples are water-soluble starch, inparticular with an average molecular weight from 3,000 to 7,000,polyvinylpyrolidone, in particular with an average molecular weight from25,000 to 250,000, polyvinyl alcohol, in particular with an averagemolecular weight from 10,000 to 20,000, xanthan gum, carboxymethylcellulose, ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymer, in particularwith an average molecular weight from 1,000 to 8,000. An example for theabove block copolymer is the product series Pluronic®. The share ofbiocide, referred to the total amount of ink, may be in the range from 0to 0.5 wt. %, preferably from 0.1 to 0.3 wt. %. The share of tenside,referred to the total amount of ink, may be in the range from 0 to 0.2wt. %. The share of set-up agents, referred to the total amount of ink,may be from 0 to 1 wt. %, preferably from 0.1 to 0.5 wt. %. To theauxiliary agents also belong all other components, such as for instanceacetic acid, formic acid or n-methyl pyrolidone or other polymers fromthe used dye solution or paste. With regard to substances, which aresuitable as component E, reference is made for instance to Ullmann'sEncyclopaedia of Chemical Industry, Electronic Release 2007, WileyVerlag, chapter “Paints and Coatings”, section “Paint Additives”.

The laser-sensitive component may in principle be a polymer, which canper se be locally pyrolysed by laser irradiation and thus dyed black.The respective polymer layer may also consist of such a polymer.Suitable polymers are explained in the following in connection withlaser-sensitive pigments. The laser-sensitive component may however alsobe a laser-sensitive pigment, which is mixed with the polymer materialof the respective polymer layer and is distributed therein. Aslaser-sensitive pigments, all pigments that are known in thetechnological field of the security and/or valuable products can beused. They may for instance be formed from organic polymers, which havea high absorption of the laser radiation, for instance PET, ABS,polystyrene, PPO, polyphenylene sulfide, polyphenylene sulfone,polyimide sulfone. They may however also be for instance LCP's.Particularly suitable are micro-milled thermoplastic materials with avery high melting range of more than 300° C. The particle size istypically in the range from 0.01 to 100 μm, in particular 0.1 to 50 μm,preferably 1 to 20 μm. Further, the polymer particles may contain lightsensitive filler materials or pigments, for instance in an amount of 0.1to 90 wt. %, referred to the laser-sensitive pigment. They may also beelectrically conductive pigments and/or effect pigments and/or dyes, asdescribed above. They may however also be oxides, hydroxides, sulfides,sulfates or phosphates of metals, such as for instance Cu, Bi, Sn, Zn,Ag, Sb, Mn, Fe, Ni, or Cr. In particular basic Cu(II) hydroxidephosphate can be employed. For example, a product is mentioned that isformed by heating blue Cu(II)-orthophosphate (Cu₃(PO₄)₂*3H₂O) to 100 to200° C. and has the chemical formula Cu₃(PO₄)₂*Cu(OH)₂. Further suitablecopper phosphates are: Cu₃(PO₄)₂*3Cu(OH)₂, Cu₃(PO₄)₂*2Cu(OH)₂*2H₂O,4CuO* P₂O₅, 4CuO* P₂O₅* 3H₂O, 4CuO* P₂O₅* 1.5H₂O and 4CuO* P₂O₅*1.2H₂O.

Suitable laser radiation for generating the second personalisedinformation has a wave length in the range from 150 nm to 10,600 nm, inparticular 150 nm to 1,100 nm. For instance CO₂ lasers (10,600 nm),Nd:YAG lasers (1,064 nm or 532 nm), and pulsed UV lasers (excimerlasers) can be used. The energy density is in general in the range from0.3 mJ/cm² to 50 J/cm², in particular in the range from 0.3 mJ/cm² to 10J/cm².

Further printed layers may be provided on one or several of the polymerlayers, said further printed layers being known from the field of thesecurity and/or valuable documents. They may be arranged on one side oron both sides of the polymer layer(s) before joining. Such anotherprinted layer may also be applied to the polymer layer with the colouredinkjet printed layer, also immediately above or below the inkjet printedlayer and/or on the side of the polymer layer being opposite to theinkjet printed layer. Such printed layers may also comprise functionalsubstances, as explained above with respect to component D).

During step B) it is also possible to integrate or apply for instance(arbitrary) diffraction structures, such as line patterns as known forinstance from the documents DE 199 49 945 or 100 36 505.

The invention also relates to a security and/or valuable documentcontaining a polymer layer composite according to the invention andoptionally a layer or several layers based on paper, Teslin and othercomposite materials.

Examples for security and/or valuable documents are: identity cards,passports, ID cards, access control cards, visas, tickets, driver'slicenses, vehicle documents, personalised valuable documents, creditcards, and personalised chip cards. Such security and/or valuabledocuments typically comprise at least a substrate, a printed layer andoptionally a transparent cover layer. Substrate and cover layerthemselves may be composed of a multitude of layers. A substrate is acarrier structure, to which the printed layer with information, images,patterns and the like is applied. As materials for a substrate, allconventional materials on a paper and/or (organic) polymer basis can beused. Such a security and/or valuable document comprises within thetotal multi-layer structure a polymer layer composite according to theinvention. Besides the polymer layer composite according to theinvention, at least one (additional) printed layer may be provided,which may be applied to an external surface of the polymer layercomposite or to an additional layer connected with the polymer layercomposite.

The invention finally relates to a method for producing a securityand/or valuable document according to the invention, wherein the polymerlayer composite is joined at the same time as or after joining thepolymer layers to a layer or several further layers based on paper,Teslin and other composite materials, for instance by laminating orgluing.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail withreference to embodiments representing examples only. There are:

FIG. 1: Process sequence of a first variant of the compiling and joiningprocess of different polymer layers,

FIG. 2: Process sequence of a second variant of the compiling andjoining process of different polymer layers,

FIG. 3: Structure of a first PC ID1 card, and

FIG. 4: Structure of a second PC ID1 card.

EXAMPLE 1 Production Process

In FIG. 1 is shown the process of compiling and joining to a polymerlayer composite according to the invention. Five different tracks 1, 2,3, 4, 5 can be seen, each being formed from a polymer layer or film.Further tracks can be arranged externally to and/or between the showntracks in parallel to each other and are not shown here for the sake ofclarity. The tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 may in particular be polycarbonatefilms, and the tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, identical or different, may have athickness from 5 to 270 μm. To at least one of the tracks 2, 4,optionally to both, a coloured inkjet printed layer has been applied,which represents a first personalised information. At least one of thelayers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 may contain a laser-sensitive component. Afterimprinting and before compiling, optionally a drying process of theinkjet printed layer(s) takes place. On at least one of the polymerlayers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, further a printed layer of a different printingtechnology may be arranged, for instance iris printing in a relief oroffset printing method. The polymer layer 3 contains an electroniccircuitry (or several electronic circuitries, which are respectivelyassigned to a completed security and/or valuable document). Theelectronic circuitry may however also be provided in one of the othershown layers 1, 2, 4, 5.

In phase P1 the different polymer layers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 extend inparallel to each other, to the layer 2 the application of an inkjetprinted layer is carried out, optionally followed by an opticalinspection of the inkjet printed layer. Further, optionally a test ofthe electronic circuit in the layer 3 is carried out. If applicable, asecond inkjet printed layer can be applied to the layer 4, said secondinkjet printed layer being identical to or different from the firstinkjet printed layer, and optionally follows in this phase P1 an opticalinspection of the second inkjet printed layer. Said inkjet printedlayers can be applied independently from each other to one or the otherside of the layers 2, 4. In phase P2, the different polymer layers 1, 2,3, 4, 5 are compiled and joined by way of lamination. A fixation of thecompiled layers to each other before lamination, may for instance bemade by means of ultrasonic stitching, but also other stitching methods,such as glue stitching. The lamination may be carried out by allconventional lamination methods, for instance by means of press platesin a combined heating/cooling press or particularly advantageously bymeans of a roll lamination. In phase P3 optionally an optical inspectionfor proper joining is carried out. In phase P4 a laser engraving stepwith the second personalised information and optionally a subsequentoptical inspection of the laser engraving is performed. For thispurpose, one of the polymer layers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 contains alaser-sensitive component, for instance a laser-sensitive pigment. Inphase P5 follows an electronic personalisation by storage ofpersonalised data in the electronic circuit. In phase P6 optionally anelectronic test of the stored data is made.

EXAMPLE 2 Alternative Production Process

In FIG. 2 is shown an alternative process of compiling and joining to apolymer layer composite according to the invention. 4 different tracks1, 2, 4, 5, and a sheet feeder 3 can be seen, which are respectivelyformed from a polymer layer or film. Further tracks may be arrangedexternally to and/or between the shown tracks in a parallel orientationand are not shown for the sake of clarity. The tracks or sheets 1, 2, 3,4, 5 may in particular be polycarbonate films, and the tracks 1, 2, 4,5, identical or different, may have a thickness from 5 to 270 μm. To atleast one of the tracks 2, 4, optionally to both, a coloured inkjetprinted layer has been applied, which represents first personalisedinformation. After imprinting and before compiling, optionally a dryingprocess of the inkjet printed layer(s) is carried out. On at least oneof the polymer layers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, further a printed layer of adifferent printing technology may be arranged, for instance iris flatprinting, guilloches. The polymer layer 3 is designed as a sheet andcontains an electronic circuitry in a sheet (or several electroniccircuitries per sheet, which are respectively assigned to a completedsecurity and/or valuable document). The sheet feeder of the layer 3 mayalso be exchanged with one of the other layers 1, 2, 4, 5.

In phase P1, the different polymer layers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 extend inparallel to each other, to the layer 2 the application of an inkjetprinted layer is carried out, and optionally follows in this phase P1 anoptical inspection of the inkjet printed layer. Furthermore, optionallya test of the electronic circuitry in the sheets 3 is carried out. Ifapplicable, a second inkjet printed layer can be applied to the layer 4,said second inkjet printed layer being identical to or different fromthe first inkjet printed layer, and optionally in this phase P1 anoptical inspection of the second inkjet printed layer is also carriedout. Said inkjet printed layers can be applied respectivelyindependently from each other to one or the other side of the layers 2,4. Same as in Example 1, the second inkjet printed layer may representthird personalised information, which is different from firstpersonalised information. In phase P2, the different polymer layers 1,2, 3, 4, 5 are compiled and joined by way of lamination. Here, it isparticularly advantageous that the polymer layer 3 with the integratedoptional electronic circuitries is used as the sheet 3. This permits asimple orientation of the tracks relative to the sheet. A fixation ofthe compiled layers with respect to each other may for instance becarried out by means of ultrasonic stitching, but also by otherstitching methods, such as glue stitching. The lamination may beperformed by all conventional lamination methods, for instance by meansof press plates in a combined heating/cooling press or particularlyadvantageously by a roll lamination. In phase P3, optionally an opticalinspection for proper joining takes place. In phase P4 follows a laserengraving process with the second personalised information. For thispurpose, one of the polymer layers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 contains alaser-sensitive component, for instance a laser-sensitive pigment. Inphase P5 an electronic personalisation by storage of personalised datain the electronic circuit is made. In phase P6, optionally an electronictest of the stored data is made.

EXAMPLE 3 First PC ID1 Card

FIG. 3 shows the layer structure of a polycarbonate identity card. Inthe middle a polymer layer 6 with an electronic chip 7 and a thicknessof 300 μm can be seen. On both sides of the polymer layer 6, 100 μmthick, opaque polymer layers 8, 9 are arranged, which are provided witha printed layer, which has been produced by means of a printingtechnology different from inkjet printing, for instance iris printing inthe relief printing or offset printing method. Immediately adjacent andexternal to the polymer layers 8, 9, one 100 μm thick, transparentpolymer layer 10, 11 each is arranged, at least one of the polymerlayers 10, 11 carrying an inkjet printed layer. Externally to thepolymer layers 10, 11, finally one polymer layer 12, 13 each isprovided, which are formed as 50 μm thick, transparent overlay layers.

EXAMPLE 4 Second PC ID1 Card

In the middle can be seen two opaque polymer layers 14, 15 with athickness of 150 μm, and a chip 16 with an antenna 17 is applied to onepolymer layer 14 and to the side directed toward the polymer. The chip16 and the antenna 17 are overprinted with a first printed layer 18.Toward outside follow opaque and 100 μm thick polymer layers 19, 20,which on the respectively external side carry as a background a printedlayer of a non-inkjet printing technology, for instance an iris in theflat printing method. Further, toward outside follow the 100 μm thickand transparent polymer layers 21, 22, which internally carry aninscription formed as a relief printing layer. The polymer layer 21comprises an external fluorescent printed layer and the polymer layer 22comprises an external printed layer with optically variable pigments aswell as an inkjet printed layer with personalised information, forinstance a passport photograph. The outermost polymer layers 23 and 24are 50 μm thick and transparent. The polymer layer 23 contains alaser-sensitive component, for instance laser-sensitive pigments. In thepolymer layer is inscribed personalised information by means of a laser.

1. A method for producing a polymer layer composite that comprises aplurality of polymer layers wherein at least one polymer layer containsa laser-sensitive component, said method comprising the following steps:A) applying first personalized information to at least one of thepolymer layers by means of an inkjet printing method as a colored inkjetprinted layer, B) thereafter joining the polymer layer with the coloredinkjet printed layer to the other polymer layers, wherein the polymerlayer with the colored inkjet printed layer is placed between two otherpolymer layers, and C) inscribing second personalized information intothe polymer layer composite obtained in step B) by means of laserengraving.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein one of thepolymer layers contains an electronic circuitry and wherein thirdpersonalized information is stored in the electronic circuitry before orat the same time as or after step C).
 3. The method according to claim1, wherein the polymer layer with the laser-sensitive component and thepolymer layer with the colored inkjet printed layer are identical ordifferent.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polymer layerwith the electronic circuitry is different from the polymer layer or thepolymer layers with the inkjet printed layer and/or laser-sensitivecomponent.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein step A comprisingthe step of applying personalized colored inkjet printed layer isapplied to two or more different polymer layers.
 6. The method accordingto claim 5, wherein the colored inkjet printed layers on differentpolymer layers are partial information of the first personalizedinformation and, optionally, are placed complementarily and accuratelyin registration with each other.
 7. The method according to claim 1,wherein the first personalized information is the color portion ofpersonalized overall picture information, and wherein the secondpersonalized information is the black portion of personalized overallpicture information.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein beforestep B), the method further comprises (a) performing an opticalinspection of the colored inkjet printed layer or of the colored inkjetprinted layers and/or (b) performing an electronic test of theelectronic circuitry.
 9. A polymer layer composite obtained by themethod according to claim
 1. 10. The polymer layer composite accordingto claim 9 (a) wherein the polymer layer composite comprises a pluralityof polymer layers, and further comprises a colored inject printed layerwith the first personalized information between two of the polymerlayers, said colored inkjet printed layer being produced by means ofinkjet printing, and (b) wherein one of the polymer layers, containing alaser-sensitive component further comprises second personalizedinformation produced by means of laser engraving.
 11. The polymer layercomposite according to claim 10, wherein one of the polymer layerscomprises an electronic circuit, in which third personalized informationis stored and wherein said polymer layer is optionally between two otherpolymer layers.
 12. The polymer layer composite according to claim 10,wherein the polymer layer with the laser-sensitive component and thepolymer layer with the colored inkjet printed layer are identical ordifferent.
 13. The polymer layer composite according to claim 10,wherein the first personalized information is the color portion of apersonalized overall picture information, and wherein the secondpersonalized information is the black portion of the personalizedoverall picture information.
 14. The polymer layer composite accordingto claim 10, wherein the first personalized information is a picturerepresentation, comprising a passport photograph of a person.
 15. Thepolymer layer composite according to claim 13, wherein personalizedoverall picture information is a picture representation, comprising apassport photograph of a person.
 16. The polymer layer compositeaccording to claim 10, wherein the second personalized informationcomprises a personalized sequence of characters.
 17. The polymer layercomposite according to claim 10, comprising 3 to 14 polymer layers. 18.The polymer layer composite according to claim 10, wherein the polymerlayers without the electronic circuitry have a thickness in the rangefrom 5 to 270 μm.
 19. The polymer layer composite according to claim 10,wherein the polymer layer with the electronic circuitry has a thicknessfrom 50 to 650 μm.
 20. The polymer layer composite according to claim10, wherein the polymer layers are identical or different and comprise apolymer material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate,polyethylene glycol terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate,thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers, polyethylene, polypropylene,polyimide or poly-trans-isoprene, polyvinyl chloride and copolymers ofsuch polymers.
 21. A security and/or valuable document comprising apolymer layer composite according to claim 10 and, optionally, a layeror several layers based on paper, Teslin® material and/or othercomposite materials.
 22. A method for producing a security and/orvaluable document according to claim 21, wherein the polymer layercomposite is joined at the same time as or after joining the polymerlayers to a layer or several further layers comprising paper, Teslin®material and/or other composite materials.
 22. (canceled)